Studio 54 Style Returns for a Revival: Shaggy Jackets Are the Party Essential Key Piece
Although the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its unique style impact remains strong.
Currently, the focus isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles favored by celebrities and club-goers as well.
With the holiday social calendar approaching, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major resurgence.
Shopping Data Reflects the Popularity
One of the hottest items from a latest partnership between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a short, cream, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At another department store, searches for brown fake fur coats have jumped almost 200% compared to last year.
Interest for pre-owned fuzzy items is also soaring, with searches for faux fur growing by over 250% in the last six months on a major secondhand website.
"It's a one and done coat," says a lead style expert, explaining that it serves as the main element of an ensemble.
The editor likes to style her personal colossal furry coat with hipster jeans or tights and short shorts.
Screen Style Mirrors the Look
The aesthetic is replicated in a latest Netflix romantic comedy series, where a sister sports a caramel fuzzy jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her bold outfit, the sister responds, "It's what you said to dress up. That's style!"
Emergence of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
The trend fits into what an American trend forecaster is calling "boom boom."
Inspired by the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic evokes wads of cash, bubbly, cigarettes, short skirts, carefree attitudes and, of course, fur.
Like that time, the trend is emerging during a volatile financial climate.
This style is very much about dressing for the lifestyle you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Fabrics and Playful Opulence
While animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, current iterations are primarily made from lambskin—a secondary product of the food industry—or man-made materials like acrylic.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek opulence—as if a beloved character has taken charge with exaggerated proportions and surprising colors.
Celebrity Adoption and Limited Drops
A London creator was an early instigator of this movement. Her shaggy coats with curly textures have been sported by top singers.
Because of strong interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An forthcoming release includes a rose and charcoal version similar to a giant pom-pom, as well as leopard- and tiger-print versions with exaggerated fuzzy frou-frou.
"If you can only buy a single item, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of boring trousers, you want something dramatic," says a publication head.
This feeling is echoed by a style head at a leading store, who calls it "an unexpected, playful touch" that avoids the need for a whole new outfit.
The Ultimate Mood Lifter
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can act as a fantastic mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," says the editor, "and it will make you feel glamorous when the world around you is rather gloomy."